Praxair has reported record fourth-quarter income, before an accounting change, of $220 million and earnings per share of 67 cents, up 22% from the prior year.
Reported net income including the adoption of an accounting change was $214 million and diluted earnings per share were 65 cents.
Sales in the fourth quarter rose 13 per cent to $2,020 million, compared to $1,786 million in the 2004 quarter. Operating profit grew 19 per cent to $345 million versus $289 million in last year’s period. Sales and operating profit increased in every geographic region.
For the full year of 2005, Praxair reported net income of $726 million, and diluted earnings per share of $2.20. Income before the accounting change and adjusted for an income tax charge taken in the third quarter was $2.50 per diluted share, up 19 per cent from 2004. Full-year sales were $7,656 million, 16% higher than sales in 2004.
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